FITF: converging corners block – a tutorial

I’m so happy you liked my latest quilt, Converging Corners! And now, as promised, here’s a brief little how-to for those of you who may want to create something similar. (Please note that this is less of a specific tutorial, and more of just the method used to make these blocks… apologies to those who like very specific measurements!)

This block is constructed like a courthouse step (or a log cabin) block, but it’s the placement of the printed fabrics in two opposing corners that creates this fun design when the blocks are put together. I created 12 1/2″ blocks, but you really could easily go larger or smaller, depending on the look you’re after!

To start I selected a feature fabric for the center of the block. I used a variety of sizes for the center squares, ranging from 2 1/2″ to about 5 1/2″ square. As you can see, I started with a 4 1/2″ square for this block. Next you’ll surround this center square with your background fabric. You’ll want to aim to end up with a block that measures about 8″-9 1/2″ square once you surround the center fabric with the background fabric. I added a 2 1/2″ wide strip of white around the center block, adding one piece each to two opposing sides. (The width of the strip you need will vary based on the size of your center block)

(oh look, now there are two! I often make a couple blocks simultaneously to save time, so I figured I’d show you both blocks going forward)

Press, trim off the excess white fabric and add strips of white to the remaining two sides.

Press and then square up your block so it measures somewhere in the neighborhood of 8″ to 9 1/2″ square. Again, this doesn’t need to be precise. I think that the variations in the blocks add extra interest!

Next you’ll start adding the strips that will give you your fun colored corners. I cut strips of the printed fabrics that were anywhere from 3/4″ – 2″ wide and then sewed a white strip of the matching width to each end of the printed strips (no photos of this step, but you can see what it looks like in the photo below). I liked to have all my strips ready to go with white sewn to the ends, but alternatively you could wait until you’re ready to add that strip and then sew the printed fabric to the background fabric.

For the first ring, your printed fabrics will be short, approximately 2 1/2″-3″ long, with the remainder of the strip made up of the background fabric. Sew the two opposing strips, making sure your printed sections are at diagonal corners. (Tip: if your center fabrics are not directional, it won’t matter which corners you put the printed fabrics in, but if you are using directional fabrics you’ll want to make sure you add the printed fabrics to the upper left/lower right corners on half the blocks and to the upper right/lower left corners on the other half the blocks)

Press, trim off any excess, and then repeat for the other two sides of the block. Most often I used the same printed fabric to make up the corner, but it’s also fun to switch it up a bit, pairing it with a similar color, as in the block above, or even with a totally different print.

Repeat this process for the next ring. Your printed section should be a bit longer than on your first rung. Continue adding rings until your block measures at least 12 1/2″. (I aimed for 2 to 3 printed fabrics in each corner, though occasionally I needed 4 printed fabrics to get my block up to size). Trim each block to 12 1/2″ square.